Michael's on Naples — Restaurant in Long Beach

My husband and I made reservations for the dining room to have a lovely evening celebrating my return home from out of state. We walked in and had to wait to be greeted. We were finally greeted by a gentleman who found our reservation but literally looked at it as if he didn't want to see it. He then stated he was going upstairs to check for seating. A female came downstairs and stated there was a table upstairs for us. As we stood there, another couple walked in and they were greeted by the female hostess who asked if they had a reservation, "no", and then she asked if they wanted a seat in the dining room "yes". She told them she would be right back and then she proceeded to escort us upstairs to a very noisy bar rooftop. We realized they had decided for some reason we shouldn't be seated in the dining room. We immediately advised the hostess we made reservations for the dining room and that was what we expected. She led us back downstairs and to a table. Our server was slow getting to our table and she acted as if we didn't have sense enough to understand the type of service she should've provided. 1. We had to TELL her we wanted to order wine and cocktails. 2. We had to TELL her we wanted to order an appetizer. She was all over her other tables suggesting and asking but she made us feel as if we needed to grab a bite and get out. There were many things that happened that made us feel unwelcome. The reason we didn't complain was the servers, and other staff all seemed to know everyone there and the people who appeared to be management were very cozy with the servers and other patrons as well. Even leaving we were disrespected by a group who literally refused to move to allow us us walk by. I pushed my way through after clearly saying "please excuse us" several times. That group was then greeted by an older gentleman who may or may not have been some type of manager. Overall, we did not feel wanted or welcomed, but we refused to be rushed out and we made the best of our night out. I just returned from the south where I dined at several five stars and was treated with more love and respect than I've ever experienced in my life in the dirty south. I get back to So Cal and get treated quite poorly. In all of my recent dining experiences the one thing that stood out about me was the fact that I'm black and the vast majority, and in many cases all of their other patrons at the time of my visit, were white. To Michael's on Naples I say this, If you only want your friends and family to come in and enjoy your dining room please change your name to "Michael's on Naples for the Select few" and perhaps have an online check list so that people can see if they fit your criteria beforehand. And to all the naysayers, "Yes, the server received a $20 cash tip on the $120 bill." We felt 17% was more than fair based on the way we felt about our overall experience. The drinks? excellent, the food? wonderful, the desert? not so good. So, it was clearly the way we were treated that makes us give this place a...

My evening at Michael's on Naples was an unforgettable five-star dining experience that surpassed all expectations. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere exuded elegance and warmth, setting the stage for a perfect father-daughter date. With a reservation in hand, we were promptly seated, and the convenience of valet parking for just seven dollars made our arrival seamless.

Entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a sophisticated ambiance that perfectly balanced classiness with a welcoming atmosphere. The attention to detail in the décor and layout enhanced the dining experience, making us feel like honored guests from the start.

Though we opted out of cocktails, the tempting array of libations hinted at the skilled craftsmanship of the bartenders. Instead, my daughter and I indulged in Stillwater and sparkling water, respectively, both impeccably served and ensuring our glasses were never empty throughout the evening.

Our server, Bleue, deserves special commendation for her exceptional service. With a warm smile and extensive knowledge of the menu, she guided us through our culinary journey with grace and attentiveness, enhancing our overall experience.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the food. Executive Chef Eric Samaniego's culinary prowess was evident in every dish we savored. The Pólipo, featuring Grilled octopus, fingerling potatoes, spring onions, and hazelnut chili crunch, was a symphony of flavors and textures that delighted our palates.

Next, we indulged in the Gnocchi, delicate potato dumplings paired with braised short rib and taleggio cheese gnocchi, atop a bed of polenta. Each bite was a revelation, showcasing Chef Samaniego's mastery of Italian cuisine.

And finally, the pièce de résistance - the Grilled prime 32 oz bone-in ribeye steak, drizzled with Tuscan olive oil and rosemary. Cooked to perfection, each bite melted in our mouths, leaving us craving more.

To end our culinary journey on a sweet note, my daughter opted for gelato, while I indulged in the Torta della Nonna. Both desserts were exquisite, providing a perfect conclusion to an exceptional meal.

In summary, our experience at Michael's on Naples was nothing short of extraordinary. From the impeccable service to the sensational cuisine, every aspect of our evening was meticulously crafted to perfection. I wholeheartedly recommend Michael's on Naples to anyone seeking an unparalleled dining experience...

Went there for dinner this evening and was disappointed by many things. The only aspect of the restaurant I have no complaints about is our server Bleue, who was amazing but just extremely busy taking care of so many tables.

Noise on the second floor: The outdoor rooftop that I had specifically reserved because of COVID concerns was not actually a rooftop but rather the second floor of the restaurant where the bar was, so still indoors. There was in fact an outdoor area that was connected to this second floor, which makes me believe that somehow we did not get the seating that we reserved for. This second floor was absolutely terrible because it was impossible to hear anything over the loud music and rowdy people at the bar. It's NFL night, I get it. However, I feel like the dining place should have been a lot quieter than it was. They played such loud music and everyone was basically shouting to be heard. Coming down from the second floor after we were done, we saw that the first floor was basically empty and so much quieter. Maybe it would have been better if we had chosen to dine indoors in the first place.

Food and price: We had the chef's tasting menu that cost 85 dollars per person without wine pairing. Even before we ordered anything our server let us know that they had a small kitchen today and that food may be delayed. We decided to go with it, not knowing that for six dishes, it would take us over 2.5 hours to finish, most of that time being us just waiting for our food. Honestly the food I think was overpriced, based on how much we had to wait for the food just to get lukewarm pasta and steak. For the caviar pasta I could not really taste the caviar. The antelope loin(?) was cold when we got it, and I personally don't see how the "salsify" added anything to the dish. The cocktails were great though!

Overall: I was really disappointed at today's experience because many reviews on Google said that this was a great place. I would not recommend this place if you are looking for somewhere quiet and peaceful to dine and actually be able to have an audible conversation with your party. And just fyi, they do not check for vaccine proof--do what you will with this...